Guest blog from one of our Family Grace Group leaders, By Catherine P. Downing.

Be sure to check out her book: "Sparks of Redemptive Grace: Seeking and Seeing God Amid a Loved One’s Mental Illness," available from your local bookseller, Amazon or Barnes & Noble. www.sparksofredemptivegrace.com

“...pray for us.” 1 Thessalonians 5:25a ESV

Families who walk alongside their loved ones in the labyrinths of mental illnesses are often hesitant to ask for prayer. They might feel others will judge them or their loved one, offer uninformed advice or initiate the gossip chain. But friends who observe or are aware of their journey don’t necessarily need specific details to pray effectively.

Families ALWAYS need God’s provision for themselves and their loved ones in these areas:

Day 1: Peace. Fear, worry and confusion can stir up an oppressive cloud when a loved one is struggling with a mental illness. Pray families will experience the presence and love of God that will drive out fear. Pray they will receive Christ’s gift of peace, even amid the storm.

Day 2: Financial resources. The financial burden of caring for a mentally ill loved one cannot be overestimated. In addition to costs for medical care, there are, in some cases, expenses related to fines, legal fees, unconstrained spending sprees, accidents and property damages. Pray that God will provide the resources for families to pay for these extraordinary expenses and that they will not be overwhelmed by the added financial responsibilities.

Day 3: Community. Many families go into hibernation mode when their loved one is experiencing a severe episode. They can feel isolated and emotionally spent. Pray God will bring people to come alongside to support them, comfort them and pray with them. Pray caregivers will have the energy to reach out to local mental health support groups.(1,2) Ask God how you can be a part of His redemptive grace during difficult times.

Day 4: Healing. Although there is no medical cure for most severe mental illnesses there is always a spark of hope within families that their loved one will be healed. As Christians, we know that God can and does bring His supernatural healing to many. Therefore we never stop asking Him to intervene and touch our loved one. Join families in asking for such a miracle.

Day 5: Children in the family. Whether they are siblings or offspring, children are the forgotten. They are often overlooked when adults are trying desperately to cope with the mentally ill family member. Pray that those who are responsible to care for the children will stay aware of and be able to meet their needs. Pray the children will be protected from finding attention in unhealthy or unsafe ways from others who would do them harm.

Day 6: Protection. Those who deal with mental health difficulties are often victims of exploitation, abuse and crime. When severely depressed, there is an increased possibility that they will try to harm themselves. When in the grip of mania or psychosis, there may be increased aggression or high-risk behaviors. Join families in praying that God would surround their loved ones with His angels. Pray He would direct them to places and people who are safe and caring. Pray for protection of caregivers and others when the ill family member is violent or abusive.

Day 7: Wisdom. The mental health systems in most states are complex, difficult for family members to access and constrained in their ability to respond. Family members need wisdom regarding what kind of help to look for and where to get it. Pray they will find the kind of help they need at the time they need it.

Day 8.Companionship. Ignorance and stigma are just two reasons many people don’t reach out in friendship to those dealing with mental illnesses. It is common for families to be the only source of companionship for their loved ones. Pray with the families that others will bring friendship and build community with their family member. Pray the loved one will be willing to participate in peer support groups.1,2Pray that churches will become places of acceptance and inclusion.

Day 9. Medical treatment. In the last 20 years there have been great advancements in pharmaceutical treatments for mental disorders. But there is no perfect medication. Many have unrelenting side effects. Others lose their efficacy quickly. Some work only in combination with other medications, so there can be a complex combination of drugs. For those reasons and others, there is often resistance or noncompliance in taking medications. But when the right drugs are found and are taken, the results can be spectacular. Pray with families that the most effective treatments can be found for their loved ones and there would be a willingness to take—and keep taking—the medications.

Day 10. Forgiveness. A lot can go wrong in a family dealing with mental health difficulties. Harsh words, broken promises and destructive actions can shred trust and build thick barriers between family members. Pray God would pour forgiveness generously upon each person in the family—forgiveness for each other, and for themselves. Pray a spirit of forbearance and grace would create a healthy environment of kindness and love.

Day 11. Dual diagnosis/addictions. It is estimated that at least 35 percent of those suffering with a mental disorder are also dealing with some sort of addiction issue. For families coping with a loved one who has a brain disorder and is abusing alcohol or drugs, challenges compound exponentially. Pray for families to be able discern what is going on. Pray for the individual to see and acknowledge the addiction, and be willing to get treatment.

Day 12. Legislative support. The U.S. mental health care system, along with the regulations and funding surrounding it, can easily be labeled “dysfunctional." Family members are often limited in the generous care they would and could give by laws impeding their involvement in their loved one’s treatment. Pray for legislators to become aware of and concerned for the welfare of those struggling with mental illness and of the families who love them. Pray for groups like NAMI2 that are speaking out to inform and influence laws that better serve the mental health community.

Day 13. Spiritual growth. As with other aspects of life for those dealing with mental health difficulties, their spirituality and relationship with God can become muddled and confused. They rarely have the opportunity to experience a life-giving and encouraging spiritual community where they are accepted and belong. Even churches are often not welcoming toward those who deal with mental illnesses. Pray for the Holy Spirit to work mightily to bring about salvation and sustained faith for all those touched by mental illnesses. Pray for opportunities to participate in Christian community and benefit from biblical teaching.1

Day 14. Meaningful use of time. For those who suffer with severe mental illnesses, full-time work or frequent interaction with strangers may not be possible. How can their hours be spent in meaningful and productive ways? Families look for outlets for their loved ones but few are available. Pray for direction and creativity to discover good options. Pray for ministries and programs that offer safe places where those with mental disorders can belong and participate in meaningful activities.3

Day 15. Housing. The numbers tell part of the story. Twenty-six percent of the homeless population (including those staying in shelters) have diagnosable serious mental disorders. Even more struggle with depression and addictions. Boarding homes for those disabled by mental illness rarely have openings and many are located in high-crime areas. For families caring for adult loved ones, the housing dilemma is an overwhelming challenge. Safe, affordable, sanitary, wholesome options are very limited. So, often, families provide a place in their own homes. This means the families are on 24/7 caregiver duty. Pray for families to find suitable and caring housing for their loved ones. If in their own homes, pray for strength, stamina and ongoing good relationships within the family.

Day 16. Grief/loss. There is an undercurrent of sadness in families where there are mental health issues. Families grieve as they watch illness steal the quality of life from their loved one. They mourn over the losses in their own lives as they release many of their own plans and dreams to care for their family member. Pray for comfort and for daily joys that can lift their spirits.

Day 17. Communication. Clear, constructive communication is often the key tool a caregiver needs to help a loved one through a difficult episode. However each individual and situation requires a unique approach. Choice of words, tone of voice and timing of conversation combine to create a complex communication map. Pray caregivers will listen with discernment to what their loved ones are trying to express. Pray for wisdom in how and when to respond. Pray those with many voices in their minds will be able to listen to good counsel from those who love them and be able to know the gracious love of God.

Day 18. Self-care. Those who care for loved ones struggling with mental illnesses also struggle with taking care of themselves. Pray they would develop and maintain good rest, exercise and eating habits. Ask God to provide healthy relationships, strong faith and clear thinking.

Day 19. Guilt. Second-guessing decisions, revisiting the past and taking on some level of blame for a loved one’s mental illness are haunting companions for caregivers. Pray for relief from these internal accusers. Pray family members will be able to rest in the comfort of a God who knows, who understands and who pours out His redemptive grace.

Day 20. Recognize triggers. Episodes of mania, depression or psychosis don’t just randomly appear. They are usually triggered by an event, stress, change in routine or medication. Pray families can help their loved ones identify their triggers and have a good plan for dealing with possible scenarios in healthy ways.

Day 21.Boundaries. Mutual respect, personal space, interaction intervals and financial support are just some of the areas of life in which caregivers must “draw the line” to create a healthy environment for themselves and their loved one. However, in a family unit, some members may need to set their own boundaries differently than others in the family. Pray for wisdom in defining boundaries and consistency in keeping them. Pray for understanding and respect within the family when members have differing perspectives.

Day 22.Discernment. There is no one right way to help a loved one who is dealing with depression, mania or psychosis. The volatile nature of some mental illnesses means that what was helpful yesterday may not be accepted today. Families have to continually assess their loved one’s moods, cognitive capacities and medication compliance. Pray they will be able to understand the factors at play so they can make good intervention plans.

Day 23.Reasonable expectations. Caregivers must continually adjust their expectations of their loved ones who struggle with mood swings and daily stressors. Exercising forbearance when more sleep is needed, when social interactions are difficult or when irritability is acute can be supportive and loving. Pray for family members to discern the need of the moment and respond with wisdom, compassion and grace.

Day 24.Impact on job. The unpredictable nature of some mental illnesses means that family members often miss work as they tend to their loved ones in crisis. Pray that caregivers will find support from their employers and flexibility in their jobs. Pray for good contingency plans and that others will be willing to help when needed.

Day 25.Endurance. Because there is currently no cure for major mental illnesses, families look at a future of lifelong caregiving. Emotional, spiritual, mental and physical stamina are required, as is ongoing agility to adjust to the ever-changing moods and needs of loved ones. Pray for family members to find a sustainable pace with opportunities to rest along the way. Pray for daily refreshment and peace.

Day 26. Rest. Worry robs caregivers of sleep. Keeping vigil to watch for suicide attempts is emotionally and physically exhausting. Considering options and making difficult decisions during a crisis is a heavy weight on heart and mind. Praying without ceasing requires the sustaining power of the Holy Spirit. Ask God to grant family members restorative sleep and opportunities for emotional, spiritual and mental refreshment.

Day 27. Health. Good eating and sleeping patterns, personal hygiene care and treatment for medical issues are difficult for those who deal with mental illnesses. Pray they will respond to prompts from caregivers and will have access to nutritious food, safe places to sleep and other resources necessary for good health.

Day 28. Faith. Trusting in God and His goodness can be the sustaining lifeline for caregivers in times of confusion and crisis. Pray their faith would be refreshed by God’s faithfulness. Pray He would show them sparks of redemptive grace along the way that can reassure them of His presence, love and active care.

Day 29. Good counsel. Both caregivers and the loved ones they care for need wise input from clergy, friends, family, mental health professionals, legal representatives and medical personnel. However, the counsel they are given is often uninformed or inadequate. Ask God to help them find knowledgeable advisors. Pray they will be able to sift through the ideas and information from others and recognize what is truly helpful.

Day 30. Legal issues. Whether trying to get SSI disability status for their loved one or dealing with court cases related to manic behaviors, caregivers can find the legal system a maze of confusion and mystery. Pray God will lead families to compassionate, competent and caring attorneys, judges and law enforcement officers. Pray responses and outcomes will always be what is best for the one struggling with the mental health difficulties. Pray for those who are incarcerated to be protected and to be swiftly released to medical care.

Day 31. Prayer. Like Aaron and Hur who helped Moses keep his arms raised during the battle with Amalek,4friends of caregivers give tremendous help when they come alongside to share the burden of prayer, especially during times of crisis. Knowing that others are praying for their loved one when they have run out of words or energy is a great comfort to families. Ask God to raise up intercessors who are dedicated to pray fervently and faithfully for caregivers and their families. Ask Him to show you how to pray for specific situations.

4 “But Moses’ hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.” Exodus 17:12 ESV

We all have a gift to give to the world. The trick is discovering what that gift can be. As I dig deep within myself to discover my gifts, I am constantly surprised at how He heals me as I serve. Anyone can serve, and everyone can benefit from service.

Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.― Martin Luther King Jr.

Anyone Can Serve, but It Might Feel Risky When You're Starting Out

I remember worrying if their mothers would agree to it. I had been out of the mental health unit for a year or so, and the Piglet movie was showing in theatres. I desperately wanted to see Piglet’s Big Movie, and I knew exactly who I wanted to take with me to see it. They were a bundle of pigtails and blankies at the time: a handful of sweet little cousin-girls to take with me. They’re all in junior high and high school now–beautiful young women–but they were scrumptious then. They were giggly and precocious, and perfect, each of them in their own way. They were the perfect dates to take to a Piglet movie.

I called my aunts one at a time, holding my breath, to ask if they could come. And, one at a time, they each agreed to hand their perfects over to an ex-mental patient for lunch and a movie.

I will never forget that day: their little bodies all buckled tightly in the back seat, how they ordered their french fries and milk shakes with tiny, cartoon voices and consumed their junk food with delight, how the little one climbed over her sister and into my lap half-way through the movie. We didn’t expect Piglet’s movie to be scary, but it kinda was.

Anyone Can Serve, Anyone Can Feel the Privilege of Giving.

Tears trickled down my cheeks all afternoon, my heart flooding with joy and gratitude for those moments so generously bestowed upon me. I tried to hide it from them because they didn’t understand. How would they, ever? How could they see past their little picture-framed worlds to see the broken woman in front of them? I wasn’t a mental patient or a schizo or a failure to them. For one afternoon, I was “Cousin Tay” to a sweet garden of girlies. What a privilege!

What a privilege now, on every sweet afternoon spent since with my own children, my own nieces and nephews. Will anyone understand how this GIVE is my greatest and deepest joy? How this giving, this usefulness is life-giving? How simply being trusted to feed and cherish another life yields richness beyond compare?

Anyone Can Serve, Even with a Mental Illness.

There was a time when I wondered if there was any give left in me. I wondered if I would be a forever suck, a big black hole of cigarette smoke and insanity. I wondered if there would ever be enough of me to give anything, to even give enough breath to life. I wondered if anyone loved me for what I gave now to the world, or if all that was left for me was the left-overs from a time before mania and lithium and scandal. I wondered if I would ever look at my reflection the way my little girl cousins could.

"The funny thing about giving is that as we practice it, we stop looking in the mirror and start looking at our reflection in another’s grateful face."

We start to see ourselves differently as we see ourselves as givers, joy-bringers, french-fry sharers, baby-holders. Maybe we can’t hold a job or read right now, but we are bringing someone else beauty.

A devastated self-image can regenerate when it is redefined through service. I am amazed at the heights I can reach when I am climbing for the sake of another. I can loathe so much inside myself, believe I am not worthy, believe I am not good. But love elevates me, service saves. The fastest way out of our own heads is empathizing with another. The fastest way out of bed is to answer a call. So, get out there! Be. Do. Serve.

Anyone Can Serve, Even in the Smallest Ways:

1 : Help with children. I realize we are all in different stages of recovery. Having all of your nieces and nephews over for a slumber party may prove a bit much (and overloading yourself will not help you succeed!), but there are still ways to help. Volunteering for an hour a week at church or a drop-in center in the company of other adults (so again you are not overwhelmed) can be a great way to start. Also, just offering to help entertain a child in their own home so that a harried mama can get her house cleaned is a great help. There is nothing like the love in a child’s eyes to heal a soul. There is nothing like the grateful look in a mama’s eyes when she is offered some loving help!

2 : Bring a meal, a plate of cookies, or a latte to a friend. I love to do this. When Samuel was a baby and I was completely overwhelmed, the mom’s group at our church dropped meals off three times a week. Their foil-covered containers covered in handwritten cooking directions were not only a time-saving blessing at dinnertime, but also a reminder to me in the midst of those unending days that I was not alone. Since then, bringing food to others who are experiencing difficulties, having babies, or just need some cheering up has become my favorite giving project. I can do it on my own time-table, and sometimes freeze food to deliver at a later time. The end result is always the same: joy in the face of the recipient, and joy in my heart as well.

3 : Send an encouraging word, either by text, Facebook, or (if you’re really together) through the mail. My Aunt Dana takes the cake on this one. Every holiday and birthday, she sends our family a silly card with a sweet message inside. Sometimes she sends the boys a dollar each, and it means so much to us! My Grandma Afton also sends me beautiful, encouraging words. I keep all of these cards as if they were priceless treasures. Encouraging words have the ability to lift us and others out of our own circumstances, even for a moment. The right text at the right time can turn a day around.And you can do that for someone.

4 : Host. Okay: so this might be the most challenging, but it may also be the most beneficial. Hosting friends for a cup of coffee or a dinner party helps me stay on track all week. Where I might be tempted to let my house become a disaster zone, knowing I have the girls coming over for coffee on Thursday motivates me to keep things tidy. It doesn’t matter if you serve homemade coffee cake or store-bought donuts, opening your home for a specific time on a specific day gives you a goal to shoot for, a reason to do the dishes. Believe me: worrying what others might think of your dirty house can be a great motivation. Whatever works, right?

5 : Pray for people. I know there are days when getting out of bed may seem impossible. When you feel like you won’t be able to keep breathing without a conscious effort, you can always pray for someone else. What? You might be thinking, shouldn’t I be praying for myself? Well, yeah, but praying for others has a way of making me realize that I’m not the only one with problems. And, focusing on the needs of another reminds me that I’m not the only one in the universe, period. Some days, it’s important to remember that.

Whatever you do, however you serve, I promise you: your life will be richer and your self-image will improve. As you reach out to another, you may just find that you’re capable of more than you thought possible. Love makes us bigger than we could ever be on our own.

God bless you in your service,

Taylor

This blog reposted with permission and appears on Taylor's blog website, "Red Vine Spirituality." Taylor K. Arthur tackles Bipolar 1 Disorder, surviving stillbirth, and raising a heart warrior with a nitty-gritty faith inspiring a twisted, blissful life. She is also an mental health advocate helping to support other peers and their families within her church and community.

I wrote this from my personal point of view, about losing Carson to suicide, to offer hope and encouragement to all who take the time to read it.

July 12, 2010 will be a day forever etched in mine and my family’s memory. That was the day our 18 year old son, Carson, took his life (committed suicide). He suffered from chronic Bipolar disorder.

There are no words to describe the pain of losing someone to suicide, especially your child. Parents are supposed to die before their children; not the other way around. God’s custom made, unmatchable grace is the only reason I can say I am moving forward three years later. God’s grace has given my family and I the energy needed to persevere, until we see Carson again, some day in Heaven.

Some of the ways I have found helpful to adapt to life without my son are:

1) Being Transparent – From the day we learned of Carson’s suicide, my husband, Todd and I, and our four children decided we would allow others to move through the grieving process with us. We have been and are still forthcoming about the facts of our loss, our struggle without him, our lives when he was still living, and the hope we have in Jesus Christ that assures us we will see him again. Carson suffered from a painful and unstable mental illness known as Bipolar. He suffered painfully for so many years, from adolescence into his early adult life, so much that he felt he could no longer endure. Our family never claimed his passing to be other than what it was: suicide. We trust that Carson’s life was saved for eternity when he trusted in Jesus Christ at the age of seven. We were and still are not ashamed that our child committed suicide; hurt, but not ashamed.

2) Realize –My life will never be the same. I carried this child to his birth, cared for him as a baby, grew with him through life changes, suffered with him in his despair, and now, I’ve outlived him. It’s as if his death became a pulled thread in the fabric of mine and my family’s life. That thread extended into areas of our family blanket that to this day we are still having to pull, stretch and adjust to. At times, that pulled thread moves in concert with the rest of the fabric; all is well, and I remember joyful events. At other times, that pulled thread has affected other threads, that have pulled other threads, and so on, and, it’s like a cold chill, a dark reminder that he is no longer with us.

3) Educate and Be Available to Others – God has given me an opportunity to give purpose, hands and feet, to my sorrow. I no longer need to help Carson because he is in Heaven – healed from his pain. I can use my experience to touch others. God has given me a passion to educate others about mental illness and suicide.

4) Tears – I allow myself to cry whenever I need to. I will continue to grieve the loss of Carson’s life, until the day I see him again in Heaven. Three years later, my husband and I still (and will continue to have) what we call “Carson Moments,” where out of nowhere the pain of him not being here floods our thoughts. Realizing that will happen, I endure, cry and recover my thoughts to God’s present day blessings and plans.

5) God’s Miracle Minutes – As we raise and support our youngest child, who also suffers with Bipolar disorder, God gave me a word picture. There are 1,440 minutes in each day. We can choose to see our completed day as “all good” or “all bad.” Or, we can choose to live in the minute and look for God’s miracles – the ones we normally wouldn’t recognize without being consciously aware and on alert to see. Acknowledge God’s work in the miracle of that minute, and as a bonus, bind the enemy, since he can’t occupy your thoughts when you are praising the Lord.

6) Live Without Regrets – Hug. Tell a loved one you love them. Encourage someone. Pray for someone. Make that phone call to someone now, because “Not a Day Is Promised.”Please visit our website, www.notadaypromised.com. You’ll find our transparency there.

Julie Brooks

Julie Brooks, and her husband, Todd, are active mental health advocates serving and leading Family Grace Groups. This blog reposted from their blog website:

Not A Day Promised ... Battling mental illness through education and resources. "Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance." Proverbs 1:5

If you have been around counseling at all, then you have probably heard the term "processing." Why is this such an important word? Well, perhaps the ability to respond rather than react is the most important reason ... being able to process is the key to responding vs. reacting.

Picture a train's wheels. Say this out loud: Chugga-Chugga, Chugga-Chugga, Emotion-Reaction, emotion-Reaction. That is our natural fight or flight state. We feel our emotions and then have a natural reaction almost subconsciously. Maybe we can allot 10% of our brain to this emotion-reaction task. How then do you respond rather than reacting?

Dr. Henry Cloud puts it this way:

"Neuroscience shows us that if you just take a moment to identify what you are feeling, especially in a frustrating situation or relationship, and name that emotion, it can mean all the difference in the world ... The reason is that labeling a feeling brings brain functioning to a much higher level ... engages other parts of yourself vs your "reactive" brain which will usually get you into trouble at such moments. But to stop, look inward, observe yourself, and label what you are feeling, slows down the reaction and gives you lots of other resources to choose a better response."

We can actually choose to respond by "processing"; by "engaging" the other 90% of our brains!

If we don't take the time to know what is going on inside of us, we simply react.

If we don't take the time to breath and figure out why we feel the way we do, we simply react.

If we don't take the time to brainstorm solutions and choose a good solution, we simply react.

Yes, learning to respond takes effort, but practicing it is well worth avoiding regret, a wrong on top of wrong, worry, and a general feeling of being stuck or backed into a corner.

So, maybe the next offense you feel, is actually a great opportunity to start practicing responding or processing by labeling what emotions you're experiencing verses reacting due to being overwhelmed by them.

How's that for looking at your next potential argument or challenge in a good light!

Comment here or on our facebook page and let us know how you respond vs react!